I wouldn’t be surprised if there are many others like him. Let’s not forget all of those hereditary peers have gone, the old school dinosaurs although there are some remnants still left in the current House but hardly as many as there once was. I think emphasis on the huge free vote result on February 5th will play a significant role as a reminder to them that the real power lies within the Commons. It was a very wise move by all 3 party leaders to not have a whipped vote. The vote in February was extremely significant reflecting the majority in favour in spite of some opposition. It was a huge majority which should carry a lot of weight.

Equality of the people should come before anything.
It should come before an established church or the monarchy.
It should come before the state itself and when we get a proper and written constitution, should be the first words.

Great reply to Lord Cormack , hope the others in the HoL were listening……”We are not entitled to defeat the will of the Commons on an issue of this kind: one that was decided, I repeat, on a free vote…..They are the only ones elected to Westminster. They take their authority from their elected position and they lose it when they leave. They have been elected by the people and they are answerable to the people”

Fantastic, brilliant speech. Lord Fowler truly gets what equality means and how refreshing to hear from an informed Lord on the subject. The manifesto reference was well put and explained eloquently. Any of them with any doubts should pay careful attention to every word Lord Fowler spoke and support his statement, putting personal opinions aside. I loved that he reminded them that it is the Commons with a huge majority in a free vote that does not entitle the Lords to reject the bill. Marvellous to hear it. We owe Lord Fowler a debt of gratitude and others like him. I’m definitely going to write to him to commend and thank him for his support. We all should as well as write to those in opposition without further delay.

Could not the same argument be made for a consenting father and son sexual relationship and marriage?
If such ones are consenting adults and their behaviour creates no victim, is it not their own business what they do in the bedroom and should they not be able to marry if they desire to?
The law currently does not prevent an 80 year old from marrying an 18 year old (power imbalance ) a rich person from marrying a poor person (power imbalance) nor a strong person from marrying a weak person so if gay marriage is allowed and power imbalances are legal (as they are), what grounds could the government survive a challenge of discrimination against father and son relationships, or any other consenting family union where there is no chance of congenital defect (ie male on male or sterilized female)

Oh hello Keith, back yet again. and – yet again trying to bring up the subject of intrafamilial sex? Well, it has to be said that no-one could fault you for the level of your determination (even if it does verge on the deranged). What a shame it’s wasted so.

Keith my sweet, why should anyone pay any attention to the ‘issues’ you raise, since they, or rather it – since intrafamilial sex is all you bang on about, when you’re not harping on about the bible – is entirely irrelevant and even more predictably tedious? I wish you would just get the message that no-one is interested in your pointless speculation.

“Unlikely”? I expect that’s what you thought about NZ as well. Still, it’s rather sweet you’re so concerned about countries you are unconnected to.

surely thats irrevelent incest is not being discUssed… if however yoU wish to campagin and lobby and toil like the lgbt commUnity has for this bill please do so. bUt Untill that point stfU and Understand gay relationships are compareable to incestioUs ones only in the bizzare world yoU inhabit in yoUr head :/

I, like you, am no expert on drafting new legislation, so cannot specifically answer how equal marriage legislation will prevent parents marrying their children. I imagine it will be similar to what makes father’s marrying their daughters illegal now and on this topic, I trust the appointed people to make the right provision.
However, I can say that over the last few years, I have read and watched many arguments for and against equal marriage rights and I cannot honestly say you are the only person who has raised this issue. The fact that this concern has occurred to you and that you continuously raise it on here, only reflects on your poor state of mind. I recommend you seek help.

An opinion poll in this country suggested that many Christians in Britain believed that they were a persecuted minority. I can only say that if anyone wants to see a persecuted minority they should look at the plight of gay, lesbian and transgender people around the world.

..yes-I am satisfied with Lord Fowler’s comment regarding Gay rights, he pointed out correctly that if the government’s aim is to be fair and treat all persons equally then why is not same sex marriage legal? This is a blatant and rather silly hypocritical state.

I am not usually prone to praise speeches from Conservatives but this one gets my wholehearted endorsement.

Note in particular: “An opinion poll in this country suggested that many Christians in Britain believed that they were a persecuted minority. I can only say that if anyone wants to see a persecuted minority they should look at the plight of gay, lesbian and transgender people around the world.”

Ok so I’m anti-lords, I believe the lords should be scrapped and replaced with an elected upper house.

that aside, Lord Fowler has my respect, he want the bill passed and the current inequality remedied, he also states that the elected house has passed the bill so the unelected house should not stop it.

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